Zim’s final chance for Afrobasket qualification

Zimbabwe has one last chance to qualify for this year’s Afrobasket finals set for September in Angola when they take on Chad, Cape Verde and Central Africa Republic (CAR) for the last final available slot at a neutral venue in Mali.

Zimbabwe lost to neighbours, South Africa in a regional two-game playoff qualifier in Johannesburg on the 15th and 16th of April, but now have a final chance when they play three other African opponents beginning this Friday.

The team has been training at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) court twice a day ahead of their departure for the tournament, where they hope to seal another dance at the FIBA Afrobasket after making their debut in Tunisia in 2015.

The Zimbabwe Basketball Union, technical team and players are all aware of the challenge that lies ahead after failing to secure their spot during the regional group qualifiers in Harare and a two-game playoff against South Africa in Johannesburg.

The winner of the final playoff tournament between Zimbabwe, Chad and CAR will join Angola, Cameroon, Republic of Congo-Brazavillle, Cote d’Ivoire, DRC, Egypt, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, Tunisia, Uganda and reigning champions, Nigeria into a 16-team line-up that will battle for the coveted FIBA Afrobasket trophy in the summer.